MIDLAND ó A 6-year-old boy underwent surgery Wednesday night when he got too close to his neighbor’s chained Rottweiler.
The unidentified boy sustained a number of cuts to the back of his head, face, neck and leg. Though not life-threatening, the boy required surgery and was still in the hospital this morning, according to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The attack occurred at the home of Jimmy Smith, 15525 Hopewell Church Road, who had been keeping the dog for Chrystal Oswalt, a friend.
Smith shot and killed the dog with a .22 caliber rifle before Cabarrus County Animal Control officers arrived at his home.
The dog has been sent to a state lab to test for rabies.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The Smiths had invited neighbors to their home for a birthday party.
“While the adults were in the house, two children were playing in the backyard” where the Rottweiler was chained, according to the Sheriff’s Office press release.
The dog attacked when the boy approached the animal.
The Smiths called 911, and Jimmy Smith told officers later that he had previously tried unsuccessfully to return the dog to Oswalt.
The Sheriff’s Office said its investigation is continuing.